After Friday’s State Supreme Court ruling striking down Pennsylvania’s mandatory mask policy in schools, all of Indiana County’s school districts have reverted to their original mask-optional policies.
That means students and employees at Homer-Center, Indiana, Marion Center, Penns Manor, Purchase Line, River Valley, and United may choose to wear a mask or not while at school, but the federal requirement that everyone riding on a school bus wear a mask remains in effect.
The Supreme Court ruled that Acting State Health Secretary Allison Beam did not have the authority to order mandatory masking in schools.
While it’s not a requirement, Indiana Area superintendent Michael Vuckovich is asking all members of the school community to continue to wear masks through the holidays, while Homer-Center superintendent Curtis Whitesel and Penns Manor’s Daren Johnston also strongly recommend wearing a mask, as their health & safety plans are based on CDC recommendations.
Purchase Line’s Shawn Ford says his district is reviewing its health & safety plan to determine what can be done to limit quarantines for asymptomatic individuals.
